Sun Roofs on a 2014 LR4 opinion please

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Johnny Boy

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Am looking at buying a 2014 HSE that has the triple sun roofs. Am just wondering if these are something to avoid? Are they prone to leaking or shattering? Do they cause the car to overheat on a hot day outside? And do they have some sort of shade system that can be closed? We do a lot of camping so we are regularly off road.
 

Cthehentz

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They have a mesh cover and yes it’s hot. I bought three windshield shades and cut them to fit all three sunroofs, zero light leaks. I just assumed all LR4’s have sunroofs.
 

ryanjl

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If you go off road, you'd better be looking for one with the HD package.
 

toddjb122

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Am looking at buying a 2014 HSE that has the triple sun roofs. Am just wondering if these are something to avoid? Are they prone to leaking or shattering? Do they cause the car to overheat on a hot day outside? And do they have some sort of shade system that can be closed? We do a lot of camping so we are regularly off road.
I have never seen a non sunroof/moonroof LR3/LR4 in the U.S. I think its all they import. I have seen solid roofs in the UK and they look like nice options. Especially when many people are putting cargo racks on top anyway and it's nice to not have to worry about breaking the glass! (I broke mine installing a rack...)

Anyway, its' not actually 3 sunroofs.
1. You have one sunroof in the front that opens up. There are drain tubes in the tray to distribute any water that gets in. They had a lot of problems with the tubes clogging or crimping on the LR3s, but I think they have kind of figured it out now. If you have issues, every dealership seems to have a "sunroof guy" that can drop your headliner and sort out the tubes.
2. Then there is a single large piece of tempered glass that is the "moon roof" and it covers the entire back of the car. Inside the car there are two separate shades. The glass does not open.

To be honest, I never noticed it getting hotter than any other car when left out in the sun. I do have my front side windows tinted to match the rear of the car. Maybe that helps. The solid sun shade addition mentioned is good idea if it bothers you, but I'd wait until it does. The moon roof is tinted and there is a shade. I guess it depends where you live.
 

ryanjl

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The only Discovery I'm aware of that came to the U.S. without sunroofs is a select few D1s, but those are really rare.
 

Waterndirt

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I thought the lack of full sun protection was going to bother me at first, especially when driving the little ones around. Its been a non-issue now for 4 years.

The leaking sunroof typically rears its head due to a clogged drain tube, which ends up on the floor boards. Plenty of talk about that on this forum. I think mainly for earlier model years though. 10 - 13 if i'm correct? Most would be surprised to know that most sun roofs leak, even from the factory, hence the reason why they install drains to begin with. My GMC Sierra pours in, luckily the drains work.

The glass panel roof is prone to breaking if you're not careful. Take extra care if you plan on installing a roof rack and while loading items up there.

None of these items were even a consideration when we purchased our 2015.
 

f1racer328

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Also have zero issues with the roof. I absolutely love it! This is in Phoenix 110 degree heat too... no problems. Just don't leave the mesh covers open. I also do have my front windows tinted at 20%.
 

TrinidadLR4

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They all have this, at least in the US. Personally one feature I don't care for and could do without. I think it does heat up the car in direct sunlight, significantly. Plus im never back there to enjoy the supposed extra light.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk
 

ScottPNW

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Am looking at buying a 2014 HSE that has the triple sun roofs. Am just wondering if these are something to avoid? Are they prone to leaking or shattering? Do they cause the car to overheat on a hot day outside? And do they have some sort of shade system that can be closed? We do a lot of camping so we are regularly off road.

The rear roof glass isn’t a problem. For me (LR4), the glare from the sunroof because the mesh cover let light pass was difficult to adjust to after years of being able to close it off in other vehicles. I added 3M Crystaline film to the sunroof (and side front windows while I was at it). The glare resolved and the film stopped virtually all of the heat transfer. I have been quite happy with it.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company.../?N=5002385+8710654+8710692+3290229310&rt=rud

I was cautioned against applying film to the rear roof glass because it was laminated and not tempered. I don’t think it needed it anyway, but I also never ride in back...
 

Johnny Boy

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Thanks for the replies and helping me to decide. I will go with a non sun roof model. We are in Australia so the heat is an issue, plus I want the option of a roof rack and I do not want the risk of it shattering.
 

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